Pneumatic gig-pad



(No. Model.) n

E. P LUMHOEP. Y `PNBUlvIA'rIG GIG PAD.

Patented Nov. Z6, 1895.

UNITED STATES 5 'PATENT OFFICE.'

EDVARD PLUMHOFF, OF-NASHVILLE, ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC GIGPAI).l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,380, dated November 26, 1895.

Application iiled April 15, 1895. Serial No. 545,772. (No model.) l

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD PLUMHOFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Washington andState of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Pneumatic Gig-Pad, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved pneu matic pad for harness-saddles, and more esecially for gig-saddles, and which will retain its shape under all conditions and conform to the shape of the horses back and obviate chaiing and galling, and in which the pneumatic sacks or bags will be protected against possible puncture or injury. l The improved pad comprises a top covering of stoutleather which is shaped to conform to the in ner side of the gig-saddle and which is reinforced and stiffened by metal plates and is provided with the attaching means, whereby the pad is secured to the harness-saddle. The inner portion of this covering is provided with a loose lining of light and flexible leather or other material, which is stitched along its edges to the said covering, and between which lining and covering are interposed the iniiatable sacks or bags, one for each side or end portion of the pad, all as will appear more fully hereinafter, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-m Figure l is a perspective view of the improved pad. Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line X X of Fig. 2.

The improved pad comprises a covering l, of stout leather, which is concaved on its outer face between the edges to conform to the con- Vex inner side of a gig or other harness saddle,

and which is stiffened and strengthened by,

light metallic plates 2, attached at proper intervals to its inner face. Short straps 3, having a buckle at one end and provided with a series of openings in their opposite end portions to be adjustably connected with the said buckles, are attached to the side or end portions of the covering l and serve to secure the pad to the saddle byhaving the said straps to buckle around the skirt of the harness-saddle in the usual manner. These straps 3 have positive and direct connection with the stiening-plates 2, as shown most clearly in Fig.

2, so as the better to preserve the shape of the pad and prevent distortion thereof, which would result if the said straps were attached solely to the covering l. l Thus it will be seen that the covering l is clamped between the plates 2 and the straps 3, and to secure a smooth and uninterrupted surface to the lower side of the covering the stiffenind-plates 2 are tted into grooves or depressions formed therein, as most clearly indicated in Fig. 2. A short strap 4 is located at the bridge of the covering l, and has an opening 5 at its front end to receive the check-hook and a slot 6for the back-strap loop of the saddle, thereby securing the pad in fixed relative position and preventing any rubbing between the pad and saddle, which frequently results in serious injury` to each. The lining 7 is of soft pliable leather or suitable fabric and is stitched at its edges to the covering l, said lining being sufficiently full to be expanded when the air bags or sacks'8 are inflated.

The air bags or sacks 8 are formed from comparatively thin rubber and are inserted in the space between the covering l and the lining 7, and each is provided with a valve 9, by means of which the inflation is effected in the manner commonly practiced for expanding inatable articles.

It will be understood that there will be a bag or sack 8 for each side or end portion of the pad and that the valves 9 will occur at the ends of the pad to be readily accessible when it is required to iniiate the pad when the latter is in position upon the horses back.

The covering l, being of heavy and stiff material, will prevent injury to the air-bags from projecting portions of the harness-saddle, and the lining 7, being of comparativelytough material, will preclude injury to the said inflatable bags, arid at the same time, being flexible, will conform to the shape of the animal without producing injurious results.

In constructing pads to fit the various styles and patterns of harness-saddles it is manifest that changes in the form, proportion, andthe minor details of construction may be resorted t without departing from the principle or sacricing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is@ IOO A harness saddle pad substantially as shown, composed of a top piece of heavy and stout material eoneaved between its edges and having transverse grooves in its lower side at a middle point and near its ends, metal plates tted in the said grooves, attaching straps secured to the end-metal plates through the top piece, a centrally-disposed strap having an opening at one end and a transverse slot at the opposite end, and secured to the middle metal plate, a fulled lining secured at its edges to the edge portion of the top piece and to the middle thereof, and inflatable sacks disposed in the space formedbetween the top piece and the fulled lining, substantially as set forth for 1 5 the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD PLUMIIOFF. Vitnesses: R. O. FIELDS,

\ M. S. RUTHERFORD. 

